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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What did the cockroaches symbolize in Smith's view?

2. What did Smith see in Fireman Billy-o as he held the baby who died in the fire?

3. Why did Smith say he disagreed with fellow firefighters' prejudices, but also understood them?

4. Why did the Fire Department persist in holding parties for children who regularly harassed firefighters?

5. How were most people escaping from the blaze on Intervale Avenue in Chapter 10?

Short Essay Questions

1. Did Smith feel that the rich New Yorkers mentioned in Chapter 7, who were raising money to bail out Black Panthers, had any real understanding of need?

2. Why were some of the firefighters unwilling to help out at the department's occasional parties for neighborhood kids?

3. How did Smith convince himself of the need to respond to all calls when he found himself getting fed up with the arson incidents?

4. How did the elementary student, Cynthia, approach her interview with Smith in Chapter 9?

5. In what key way does Smith say the modern firefighting exams are different from those of the past?

6. Did Smith's wife appreciate her husband's devotion to his job?

7. Why did Smith view being a firemen as a sign of success when he was a child?

8. In what way does it seem as though Smith--despite his hatred for cockroaches--actually respects them?

9. Why were the men uneasy as they begin the training drill in Chapter 6?

10. Does Smith feel that society has become more violent over the years, and if so, why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Firefighters work long shifts that require them to both sleep and eat meals at the station. How does Smith demonstrate that this enforced closeness with fellow firefighters encourages a sense of brotherhood? Did the cooking and sharing of meals among the men of Engine Co. 82 foster a unique relationship that was missing in other professions? Is there a unique value in seeing your fellow firefighters at their best and their worst (i.e., grumpy before morning coffee, poor hygiene, an issue Smith addresses in the book) throughout the day? Does this help explain the fierce loyalty described by Smith?

Essay Topic 2

Some of the South Bronx children, including Tina de Vega, occasionally visited Engine Co. 82 when they were younger. Why do you think these children made these visits to talk to Smith and the other firemen? Were they simply bored? Were they looking for some sort of adult guidance? Were they reaching out to the adult world?

Essay Topic 3

When he was a child, Smith's mother made him hide the family television set when the welfare inspector came to visit because she was afraid they would not receive extra funding for winter coats. He describes the visit as tension-filled as the family tried to make the right impression. Why did he find this sort of visit humiliating? What kind of image of his family did Smith get when they had to accept random visits from city officials to prove that they were sufficiently poor to warrant help?

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